Speakers for Sansui AU-317?

[orionspants]

So after 2 years in Hong Kong I finally got around to buying a vintage system. Things are pricey here so it's not easy to see any deals and those that do appear are snatched up quickly. After endless browsing I jumped on a Sansui AU-317 as it was the WPC I wanted and it was in my area.

With it I picked up some Mourdant Short MS10s bookshelf speakers, figured I'd just kill two birds and allowed me knock the price down a little. Upon first listen sounded quite good but now after putting a few hour sessions in I find them lacking (I knew they would be they're so light), basically no depth in bass at all, mids and highs can be OK on certain tracks, but even so the fatigue that goes with prolonged listening is too pronounced.

Since I'm spending a lot more time at home due to the virus I need some good floor standings speakers to make this time more enjoyable. Looking on the 2nd hand market there are a few choices (limited by the insane market here):

JMLab Chorus 725 ($130) France
KEF Coda 90 ($115) UK
PSB Alpha T ($65) Canada
Mission 774 ($195) UK
JBL 830 ($195) US?
JBL MK1000 ($145) Denmark

They all appear in good cosmetic condition (based on photos) expect for the KEF, which have some dented tweeters and marks on the grills. The KEF and PSB would be the easiest to get as I don't have a car here and they aren't too far away but will need to get a van to transport which ever pair I get as they're all quite heavy (esp. the Chorus @ 17kg). Just added the JBLs to list, the 830s look like they will need woofer refoams, but the MKs look good.

Any thoughts or opinions on these matches?

Thanks!

 

[Audiofreak71]

Imo , the JM Labs hands down . I owned a pair of JM Labs a long time ago and I wished I had kept them they were very good sounding speakers .

Audiofreak71

 

[orionspants]

Imo , the JM Labs hands down . I owned a pair of JM Labs a long time ago and I wished I had kept them they were very good sounding speakers .

Audiofreak71

Thanks! I added 2 more JBL options just after your post. The JMLabs seem to have some nice reviews online, and the price is good compared to elsewhere and the original cost.

Are speaker specs for weight generally per pair or per speaker?

A bit disappointed in the MS10s as I thought they might be comparable to my Paradigm Titan's (back home) but they're not even close. There are some Titans' here but I think they're likely gone as the post is months old. Not sure I want just 2 way either.

 

[Audiofreak71]

Thanks! I added 2 more JBL options just after your post. The JMLabs seem to have some nice reviews online, and the price is good compared to elsewhere and the original cost.

Are speaker specs for weight generally per pair or per speaker?

A bit disappointed in the MS10s as I thought they might be comparable to my Paradigm Titan's (back home) but they're not even close. There are some Titans' here but I think they're likely gone as the post is months old. Not sure I want just 2 way either.

I’m not sure what you mean by weight but when you read about the specs it’s referring to the pair if I’m not mistaken.

edit: if your referring to the weight of the speakers it’s usually per speaker in most cases .


Audiofreak71

 

[orionspants]

So I went with the Focal Chorus, I had a chance at getting some Paradigm Phantom V3 for cheaper but thought these would be more musical with the 2 woofers, 1 tweeter and 1 mid as well as them being bi wired speakers and the Phantoms aren't.

So far I love the sound, I don't have bi wire cables so just using the jumpers, picked up some MAKURAWAS O.F.C. 5.4mm (approx. 3.5 AWG) copper wire.

They show their age around the edges of the laminate but look good overall, only thing is I poked the dust cover during setup and it has basically disintegrated. So as an interim fix I've used an old film canister top which fits perfectly around and is held loosely in place with blue tack.

 

[Audiofreak71]

So I went with the Focal Chorus, I had a chance at getting some Paradigm Phantom V3 for cheaper but thought these would be more musical with the 2 woofers, 1 tweeter and 1 mid as well as them being bi wired speakers and the Phantoms aren't.

So far I love the sound, I don't have bi wire cables so just using the jumpers, picked up some MAKURAWAS O.F.C. 5.4mm (approx. 3.5 AWG) copper wire.

They show their age around the edges of the laminate but look good overall, only thing is I poked the dust cover during setup and it has basically disintegrated. So as an interim fix I've used an old film canister top which fits perfectly around and is held loosely in place with blue tack.

Congratulations. Pictures?

Audiofreak71

 

[orionspants]

Tried but I guess AK doesn't allow uploads?? Only already hosted URL images, Anyway here are the actual seller's photos :

Got them for $145, seller would only budge $10, the price I quoted earlier was incorrect. But found these retailed for about $1400? So I'm quite happy.

 

[Audiofreak71]

Tried but I guess AK doesn't allow uploads?? Only already hosted URL images, Anyway here are the actual seller's photos :

Got them for $145, seller would only budge $10, the price I quoted earlier was incorrect. But found these retailed for about $1400? So I'm quite happy.

Those look nice and sounds like you got a good deal.

Audiofreak71

 

[orionspants]

Those look nice and sounds like you got a good deal.

Audiofreak71

Thanks! They don't quite have the deep rich bass my Sony's back home have but big fat 3-way floor standing speakers with 8"+ woofers are almost non existent on the 2nd hand market here, like everything in Hong Kong things need to fit in cramped spaces. But the clarity and separation make up for it.

Ahh, just as I wrote this I took another look and found some $100 JBL XE3's with an 8" woofer! I should stop looking and be happy....

 

[Audiofreak71]

Thanks! They don't quite have the deep rich bass my Sony's back home have but big fat 3-way floor standing speakers with 8"+ woofers are almost non existent on the 2nd hand market here, like everything in Hong Kong things need to fit in cramped spaces. But the clarity and separation make up for it.

Ahh, just as I wrote this I took another look and found some $100 JBL XE3's with an 8" woofer! I should stop looking and be happy....

Add a subwoofer or two and that will take care of the ultra low end .

Audiofreak71